'Captain America' thesp in talks to star opposite Aaron Paul

Scott Waugh (“Act of Valor”) is directing from a script by George Gatins, who developed the original story with John Gatins (“Flight”). Pic will be faithful to the spirit of the popular Electronic Arts video game franchise, but the script isn’t based on any individual title. The latest installment, “Need for Speed: Most Wanted, debuted Oct. 30.

Story follows an underground racecar driver (Paul) who owns a garage that modifies expensive cars to make them faster for racing. Framed and sent to prison when his best friend is murdered during a race, he seeks revenge upon his release.

Cooper will play the other male lead of Dino, an ex-NASCAR driver who uses his connections to the wealthy to create a business rebuilding and modifying supercars. Imogen Poots, who starred in DreamWorks’ “Fright Night” remake, is making a deal to play an exotic car dealer who does business with Paul and Cooper.

EA’s Patrick O’Brien will produce with Mark Sourian and John Gatins. Pic is skedded for release on Feb. 7, 2014.

Cooper has been carefully considering projects ever since his breakout dual turn in “The Devil’s Double.” He recently co-starred in “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” and “My Week With Marilyn,” and will next be seen alongside Colin Farrell and Noomi Rapace in Niels Arden Oplev’s thriller “Dead Man Down.” Cooper is repped by CAA and Alex Irwin of Markham, Froggatt and Irwin in the U.K.